Floristic diversity of Kashmir Himalayan grasslands in relation to their functioning

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Global maps of soil temperature

Research in global change ecology relies heavily on global climatic grids derived from estimates of air temperature in open areas at around 2 m above the ground. These climatic grids do not reflect conditions below vegetation canopies and near the ground surface, where critical ecosystem functions occur and most terrestrial species reside. Here, we provide global maps of soil temperature and bioclimatic variables at a 1-km2 resolution for 0–5 and 5–15 cm soil depth. These maps were created by calculating the difference (i.e. offset) between in situ soil temperature measurements, based on time series from over 1200 1-km2 pixels (summarized from 8519 unique temperature sensors) across all the world\u27s major terrestrial biomes, and coarse-grained air temperature estimates from ERA5-Land (an atmospheric reanalysis by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). We show that mean annual soil temperature differs markedly from the corresponding gridded air temperature, by up to 10°C (mean = 3.0 ± 2.1°C), with substantial variation across biomes and seasons. Over the year, soils in cold and/or dry biomes are substantially warmer (+3.6 ± 2.3°C) than gridded air temperature, whereas soils in warm and humid environments are on average slightly cooler (−0.7 ± 2.3°C). The observed substantial and biome-specific offsets emphasize that the projected impacts of climate and climate change on near-surface biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are inaccurately assessed when air rather than soil temperature is used, especially in cold environments. The global soil-related bioclimatic variables provided here are an important step forward for any application in ecology and related disciplines. Nevertheless, we highlight the need to fill remaining geographic gaps by collecting more in situ measurements of microclimate conditions to further enhance the spatiotemporal resolution of global soil temperature products for ecological applications

Global maps of soil temperature

Research in global change ecology relies heavily on global climatic grids derived from estimates of air temperature in open areas at around 2 m above the ground. These climatic grids do not reflect conditions below vegetation canopies and near the ground surface, where critical ecosystem functions occur and most terrestrial species reside. Here, we provide global maps of soil temperature and bioclimatic variables at a 1-km² resolution for 0–5 and 5–15 cm soil depth. These maps were created by calculating the difference (i.e., offset) between in-situ soil temperature measurements, based on time series from over 1200 1-km² pixels (summarized from 8500 unique temperature sensors) across all the world’s major terrestrial biomes, and coarse-grained air temperature estimates from ERA5-Land (an atmospheric reanalysis by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). We show that mean annual soil temperature differs markedly from the corresponding gridded air temperature, by up to 10°C (mean = 3.0 ± 2.1°C), with substantial variation across biomes and seasons. Over the year, soils in cold and/or dry biomes are substantially warmer (+3.6 ± 2.3°C) than gridded air temperature, whereas soils in warm and humid environments are on average slightly cooler (-0.7 ± 2.3°C). The observed substantial and biome-specific offsets emphasize that the projected impacts of climate and climate change on near-surface biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are inaccurately assessed when air rather than soil temperature is used, especially in cold environments. The global soil-related bioclimatic variables provided here are an important step forward for any application in ecology and related disciplines. Nevertheless, we highlight the need to fill remaining geographic gaps by collecting more in-situ measurements of microclimate conditions to further enhance the spatiotemporal resolution of global soil temperature products for ecological applications

Global maps of soil temperature.

Research in global change ecology relies heavily on global climatic grids derived from estimates of air temperature in open areas at around 2 m above the ground. These climatic grids do not reflect conditions below vegetation canopies and near the ground surface, where critical ecosystem functions occur and most terrestrial species reside. Here, we provide global maps of soil temperature and bioclimatic variables at a 1-km2 resolution for 0-5 and 5-15 cm soil depth. These maps were created by calculating the difference (i.e. offset) between in situ soil temperature measurements, based on time series from over 1200 1-km2 pixels (summarized from 8519 unique temperature sensors) across all the world's major terrestrial biomes, and coarse-grained air temperature estimates from ERA5-Land (an atmospheric reanalysis by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). We show that mean annual soil temperature differs markedly from the corresponding gridded air temperature, by up to 10°C (mean = 3.0 ± 2.1°C), with substantial variation across biomes and seasons. Over the year, soils in cold and/or dry biomes are substantially warmer (+3.6 ± 2.3°C) than gridded air temperature, whereas soils in warm and humid environments are on average slightly cooler (-0.7 ± 2.3°C). The observed substantial and biome-specific offsets emphasize that the projected impacts of climate and climate change on near-surface biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are inaccurately assessed when air rather than soil temperature is used, especially in cold environments. The global soil-related bioclimatic variables provided here are an important step forward for any application in ecology and related disciplines. Nevertheless, we highlight the need to fill remaining geographic gaps by collecting more in situ measurements of microclimate conditions to further enhance the spatiotemporal resolution of global soil temperature products for ecological applications

Ziziphus jujuba Mill. subsp. spinosa (Bunge) Peng, Li & Li: a New Plant Record for the Indian Subcontinent

Ziziphus jujuba Mill. subsp. spinosa (Bunge) Peng, Li & Li has been recorded for the first time from the Kashmir Himalaya in India. The taxonomy of this taxon has been much debated. Very recently, however, it has been treated as a subspecies of Ziziphus jujuba Mill., to which it is closely related but differs markedly in having shrubby habit, longer and sharper spines, and in smaller, globose to ellipsoid drupe and stone. A differentiating key, taxonomic description, places of collection, and illustrations of the subspecies are provided to validate this new record

Ethno-Veterinary Medicinal Uses of Some Plant Species by the Gujar Tribe of the Kashmir Himalaya

The documentation of biodiversity and its traditional use(s) by the ethnic communities have assumed priority due to the rampant loss of biodiversity, the looming threats of biopiracy and the increasing patent wars on bio-resources. In view of this, the present paper describes in detail the ethno-veterinary medicinal uses of some angiosperm plant species by the Gujar tribe of the Kashmir Himalaya; with the sole objective of documentation of this secret treasure-trove of valuable ethno-botanic knowledge. In the present investigation, each plant species has been provided with the scientific name, local name, growth form, altitudinal range and present status of occurrence; followed by part(s) used, mode of preparation, method of use and the dosage

Ethnomedicinal uses of some plants in the Kashmir Himalaya

362-366Recent re-emergence of herbal medicine along with the ever-escalating threats to biodiversity, and the intensifying biopiracy controversies, have necessitated for an urgent documentation of the traditional use(s) of bioresources. Thus, a survey was carried out in the far flung areas of the Kashmir Himalaya, to record the traditional healthcare remedies currently practiced by the local population. The survey, in addition to the precious ethnomedicinal information, recorded the important natural history details. These medicinal plant species dwell in a diverse array of habitats along an elevation range of 1300-4500 m (asl), spanning from valley plains to alpine peaks in the montane Himalayan region. The knowledge base obtained in the investigation, besides contributing in the documentation of treasure troves of cultural diversity, requires to be rigorously subjected to pharmachemical analysis in order to validate their authenticity and future prospects in the drug development, with due benefit-sharing with the primary stakeholders

A Taxonomic Note on the Misidentification of Anemone tschernjaewii Regel. in Kashmir Himalaya

The correct identification of Anemone tschernjaewii Regel. previously misidentified as A. biflora DC. in the Kashmir Himalaya, India is reported. In this brief report, a detailed taxonomic description and photo-plates of its diagnostic morphological and anatomical characters are provided to validate this plant record for the region and to facilitate its easier field identification

Symphyotrichum subulatum (Michx.) G.L.Nesom (Asteraceae): a new distribution record of an alien plant species in Kashmir Himalaya, India

Symphyotrichum subulatum (Michx.) G.L.Nesom (Asteraceae) is reported as a new alien plant record for Kashmir Himalaya. The taxonomic identification of species is confirmed on the basis of shape of involucre, floral and seed characters. Detailed description, distribution map, and comments on distribution and ecology are also provided along with photographic illustration to facilitate easy identification of this species

TAXONOMY AND PHYTOGEOGRAPHY OF GENUS CAREX L. (CYPERACEAE) IN THE KASHMIR HIMALAYA

ABSTRACT The genus Carex L., one of the largest genera among angiosperms in the world, is cosmopolitan in distribution, with relatively high species richness in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. In the Kashmir Himalaya, Carex is one of the most speciose and widely distributed genera, occurring from the sub-tropical Jammu through temperate Kashmir valley to the cold-arid Ladakh region. Owing to its rich diversity and distribution, the present paper provides a taxonomic assessment and distribution status of the Carex in this Himalayan region. In total, 33 species of Carex have been recorded, which are distributed within two sub-genera: Carex and Vignea. Out of the total species recorded, the highest with 23 species are distributed in the Kashmir valley, followed by the Ladakh with 13 species and then Jammu with 8 species